News, Information, and Resources of Interest to WSBA Members
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Beware: Scammers Impersonating Washington Attorneys > There has been an increase in the number of scams in which fraudsters impersonate licensed attorneys and legal organizations, including the American Bar Association and federal immigration agencies. These scams are targeting vulnerable individuals, especially members of immigrant communities through WhatsApp, social media, email, and phone calls. To learn more about these types of scams and resources to handle them, visit the WSBA Scam Alert page, www.wsba.org/for-the-public/public-home/scam-alert.
WSBA NEWS
Proposed Rules of Court Published for Comment
The WSBA encourages members to actively monitor and provide feedback when the Washington Supreme Court is considering any amendments to its rules. View all opportunities to comment at www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.proposed.
Portfolio Evaluation: A New Pathway for Admission
The Licensure Pathways Implementation Steering Committee recently filed suggested amendments to the Admission and Practice Rules with the Washington Supreme Court, paving the way for a new admission pathway called “Admission by Portfolio Evaluation.” If the court accepts the recommendations, it will cap a more-than-six-year process that began with a rigorous study of the efficacy of the traditional bar exam and resulted in the court’s order to adopt the NextGen Bar Exam and to create new admissions pathways to demonstrate competency, other than the bar exam. Learn more at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/join-the-legal-profession-in-wa/lawyers/pathways.
Save the Date for Bench-Bar-Press Committee Luncheon
Save the date for this annual event: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, from 12-2 p.m. at the Washington Athletic Club at 1325 Sixth Avenue in Seattle. More details about the event will be posted soon. Email BenchBarPress@courts.wa.gov with questions.
Work at the WSBA
The WSBA has new job openings for those interested. We review candidates on a daily basis. If your skills and experience appear to be a good match for a position, and you meet the minimum requirements of the position you are applying for, our HR representative may be in touch with you to discuss next steps. Visit www.wsba.org/career-center/work-at-the-wsba to apply.
Shape the Future of the Professional Oath
The WSBA Oath Review and Drafting Task Force wants your input to better understand Washington legal professionals’ views about the current professional oath and to guide the task force in its work. Visit www.wsba.org/Legal-Community/Committees-Boards-and-Other-Groups/oath-task-force and please take the survey that corresponds to your license type: Oath of Attorney, Oath of Limited License Legal Technician, or Oath for Limited Practice Officers.
Notice of LSC Grant Funds Available
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) recently announced the availability of Basic Field Grants for 2027. Through a competitive bidding process, the grants are awarded to qualified attorneys, legal aid organizations, and entities as a means of improving access to justice for low-income people throughout the U.S. and U.S. territories. For application instructions, deadlines, eligibility, and submission requirements, visit www.lsc.gov/grants-grantee-resources/our-grant-programs/basic-field-grant.
CLJ Data and Document Portal
Re:SearchWA is the new public case records portal for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Case Management System (CLJ-CMS) courts. If you already have an eFileWA account, you can use those same credentials when using re:SearchWA. If not, new users will need to click “Register” on the top toolbar on re:SearchWA to create a new free account. Once logged in, you can begin searching for cases right away. Visit https://researchwa.tylerhost.net/CourtRecordsSearch/ui/Home for more information including user guides and a list of participating courts.
Speak Up for Justice, Washington!
Join us at one of many locally hosted in-person, free CLEs that aim to develop leadership skills and empower legal professionals to speak up in their communities to counter misinformation and build relationships in support of their court systems. Speak Up for Justice Washington! is partnering with county bars, which will host events throughout the state eligible
for 1.0 to 1.5 CLE credits. Visit www.wsba.org/about-wsba/ambassadors/speak-up to see a list of upcoming dates and locations.
Entity Regulation Pilot Project Accepting Applications
The application portal for the Entity Regulation Pilot Project is open. This is a time-bound, data-driven, carefully supervised process authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to determine whether changes to certain regulatory rules can meaningfully expand access to legal services for Washingtonians. The pilot project allows businesses and nonprofits (not just individually licensed lawyers/LLLTs/LPOs) to seek authorization to offer legal services for the first time in state history. Learn more at www.wsba.org/about-wsba/entity-regulation-pilot.
Explore the WSBA Lending Library
Looking for your next great read? The WSBA Lending Library is a free service to WSBA members offering the short-term loan of books. Visit www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/lending-library to explore the catalog.
Please Complete Your Confidential Demographics Form
Did you know that the WSBA regularly publishes a variety of demographic information about the WSBA membership? This information is essential to understanding the makeup of the profession, assessing the services the WSBA provides, and informing policymakers as they contemplate changes related to regulation of the practice of law. Please answer the short survey of demographic questions at www.wsba.org/licensing. Individual gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability information is kept strictly confidential, and is used only in the aggregate for demographic analysis. Thank you for your participation.
VOLUNTEER
Take the Pledge for Constitution Day
On May 1, in commemoration of Law Day, Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens and WSBA President Francis A. Adewale gathered together with state leaders, educators, and students at the Temple of Justice in Olympia to ask that legal professionals pledge to visit classrooms to engage with students on (or around) Constitution Day, Sept. 17. To take the pledge, visit www.wsba.org/about-wsba/ambassadors/law-day.
New! Nominate a Volunteer to Spotlight
Shine a light on a WSBA volunteer who inspires you—submit your nomination today. Visit www.wsba.org/connect-serve/volunteer-with-wsba/volunteer-recognition.
Free Legal Clinic Volunteers Needed
A free legal clinic put on by the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, the King County Bar Association, and El Centro de la Raza is looking for attorney volunteers. The clinic takes place from 6-8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at El Centro de la Raza in Beacon Hill (2524 16th Ave. S, Seattle, 3rd Floor). Volunteers provide general consultations in areas of the law including immigration, family law, personal injury, and more. For more information, email clinics@lbaw.org and clinics2@lbaw.org.
RESOURCES
The State of Lawyer Well-Being
The WSBA Well-Being Task Force has completed and delivered its final report to the Board of Governors. With the findings of this report, WSBA leaders will now create an implementation plan to present to the Board to begin taking action on the recommendations. You can find and read the report at www.wsba.org/Legal-Community/Committees-Boards-and-Other-Groups/well-being-task-force.
Trust Accounting & Billing Software
The WSBA has an exclusive benefit for members: FREE access to Smokeball Bill, the premier trust accounting and billing software for law firms. Visit https://bit.ly/wabarbill-launch-enews-0226 and sign up for your free subscription today!
All the Ways to Access Deskbooks
WSBA Deskbooks are trusted, practice-ready legal guides written by Washington lawyers for Washington lawyers. Members can purchase or subscribe to Deskbooks—and now they can also explore the entire catalogue online for free through Washington’s law libraries, making it easier than ever to put authoritative Washington law at your fingertips! Visit www.wsba.org/deskbooks to learn more.
Have You Reviewed Your Group Health Options?
The group health insurance landscape is evolving. If you haven’t assessed your plan in a while, you might not know what you’re missing out on. WSBA members have access to licensed benefits experts who can help you find out—at no cost. It’s a courtesy consultation, and it’s included with your membership. Make sure your company isn’t overlooking or overpaying. Visit https://wsba.memberbenefits.com/employer-group-solutions/ to start your no-obligation market analysis and group health quote today on the WSBA Insurance Marketplace.
Virtual Career Guidance Group
This free group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. This is a chance to receive guidance on your résumé, informational interviewing, applying for positions, and where you see yourself in your legal career. This group is led by Dan Crystal, Psy.D. Sign up at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness/group-sessions.
IOLTA FAQs
Have questions about trust accounts? Check out the new IOLTA FAQs to learn important information about such topics as unidentified owners and unclaimed property, recordkeeping, disbursements, general banking, reconciliation, and more. Find the FAQs at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/practice-management-assistance/iolta-faqs.
WSBA MEMBER WELLNESS
Zen Meditation for Lawyers: A Path to Clarity, Focus, and Well-Being
Join Zen Reverend Soko Mackay for a weekly meditation session designed for busy legal professionals. Discover how Zen practices can help you reduce stress, enhance focus, and improve productivity in your high-pressure environment. Take the time to invest in your mental health and experience the profound benefits of Zen meditation both in and out of the courtroom. The group meets Thursdays from 12–12:30 p.m. Sign up at https://www.wsba.org/meditation.
Washington Lawyers Assisting Lawyers
Washington Lawyers Assisting Lawyers is a new nonprofit that offers free and confidential services. WALAL is separate from the WSBA and is not affiliated with any 12-step organization. WALAL’s trained lawyer volunteers serve as peer counselors to lawyers, judges, and law students facing substance use and other mental health challenges. To learn more about WALAL, to seek assistance, or to volunteer as a peer counselor, see www.WALAL.org or email info@walal.org.
Free Confidential Clinical Consult With Licensed Provider
The Member Wellness Program offers free HIPAA-protected video consultations using the telehealth portal Doxy.me. Visit www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness and click “Book Your Initial Consultation” to schedule time with our licensed providers.
Health Benefits
The WSBA Private Health Insurance Exchange offers members access to the most competitive group health insurance solutions on the market. Speak to a benefits counselor and request a free quote today at www.memberbenefits.com/wsba.
The ‘Unbar’ Alcoholics Anonymous Group
The Washington Unbar Alcoholics Anonymous group for legal professionals has been meeting regularly for almost 30 years. The group meets Wednesdays, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Currently, the group meets online via Zoom, and attorneys from all over Washington participate. For more information and Zoom credentials contact unbarwa@gmail.com.
ETHICS
Ethics Line
Members can talk with WSBA professional responsibility counsel for informal guidance. Learn more at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/ethics/ethics-line or call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284.
WSBA Advisory Opinions
WSBA advisory opinions are available online at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/ethics/about-advisory-opinions. For assistance, call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284.
WSBA COMMUNITY NETWORKING
New Members List Serve
This list serve is a discussion platform for new lawyers of the WSBA. To join, email newmembers@wsba.org.
ALPS Attorney Match
Attorney Match is a free online networking tool made available through the WSBA-endorsed professional liability partner, ALPS. Learn more at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/mentorship/find-your-mentor, or email mentorlink@wsba.org.
QUICK REFERENCE
July 2026 Usury
The usury rate for July 2026 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the June 1, 2026, auction of the six-month Treasury Bill was 3.786%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for July 2026 is 5.786%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for July 2026 is 8.75%.